Technology

The Public Broadcasting Service has stepped into the ongoing
political fracas between the nation's telephone and cable-television
companies by announcing that it will use digital video-compression
techniques and fiber-optic cables to allow teachers in several cities
to communicate during a satellite teleconference this week.

The fiber-optic links will allow middle- and secondary-school
teachers in New York City, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Indianapolis to
interact "live" via two-way video and audio during the May 22
program.

The teleconference is designed to show educators how to use the PBS
program "The Shape of the World"--a six-part series that traces the
mapping of the earth over several centuries--in their science and
social-studies classes.

Bell Communications Research, an arm of the seven Bell operating
companies, or "baby Bells," is providing PBS with the equipment and
technology to undertake the test. Equipment manufacturers,
long-distance telephone-service providers, and the baby Bells
themselves also are providing technical assistance.

"Digital video compression and fiber-optics hold the promise of
greatly improving the diversity and technical quality of the
programming that educators will be able to bring into their
classrooms," Carl Girod, PBS's vice-president of satellite technology,
said in a statement.

What the statement did not mention is that the regional telephone
companies have been locked in a lengthy battle with the cable operators
in the hope of cracking cable's existing monopoly on transmitting
programming.

The phone companies argue that they would be able to "rewire the
nation" with fiber-optic cable more economically, and far more rapidly,
if they could obtain legislative and judicial waivers to allow them to
produce programming that would underwrite the multi-billion-dollar cost
of replacing existing copper lines. (See Education Week, Oct. 24,
1990.)

And while many of the demonstration projects undertaken by the
regional phone companies have been education-related, the cable
companies themselves have begun to target schools with campaigns that
tout their commitment to education.

PBS, meanwhile, has announced that the International Business
Machines Corporation, which is underwriting "The Shape of the World,"
will make copies of a videotape, containing segments from the series
keyed to various curricular goals, available to schools free of
charge.

Schools may order one copy of the tape, with the right to make
unlimited copies, by sending $3 to cover shipping and handling to
i.b.m., c/o Teled Inc., 7449 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, Calif.
90046.--pw

Ground Rules for Posting
We encourage lively debate, but please be respectful of others. Profanity and personal attacks are prohibited. By commenting, you are agreeing to abide by our user agreement.
All comments are public.